Gravel / Gravé / Gnarmac / Groad / ATB

I'm 173cm and have a 75cm bb to saddle top, very similar to Howard. I'm a bit more legs than torso. Riding medium arkose with 80mm stem and the fit is great. With 25mm setback Seatpost and stem slammed (well, on to the ~16mm conical headset spacer) I've matched the fit on my size S canyon ultimate (on which is a 110mm stem), albeit with 10mm extra stack, which I think is perfect for the type of bike this is!

I had the same questions as you when buying, and I'm pretty sure either size could work. Not sure if toe overlap is a risk with running the size s.. Worth checking. I ended up with the M simply because that was what was available on ebay at the time of buying. Hope that helps.

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Thanks, very helpful. The medium looks better much proportioned. Smart build too.

May I ask your inseam? I'm 173 with 81 inseam don't think I'll get the same seatpost lenght with the same frame.

Toe overlaps isn’t an issues with geared/singlespeed bicycles, especially since it’s only an issues when you’re going really slowly.

True, but when you consider it's likely you'll want to run full guards on the arkose the (potentially non-) issue could become exacerbated no? Especially when climbing/coming to a stop?

I believe my inseam is 84cm

Thanks @Po

I haven’t had any issues with toe overlap on my medium arkose with full mudguards and 700cc wheels.

Actually heel rub on the chain stays was something I noticed when I first got it, but this has disappeared (not sure why though!)

Yeah you won't get TO on the medium frame. The wheelbase is fairly long. Possibly you might on the small size, depends what they've done with the geo. I've not ridden one however.

You have to turn quite a considerable amount to hit it.

Like, you have to either be really bad at climbing (shaking your bike violently like a sea cucumber) or keep pedal until you come to a full stop (like who does that?).

What about slow speed maneuvering? Can come a cropper with some inopportune overlap there if you're not careful/mindful of it.

Once you get used to it, it become a non issues.

Ditto with riding fixed.

I only get to ride my bike once every two months so I never get used to it.

Why would you violently shake a sea cucumber?

Helps me get to sleep.

Cant tell if this is the setup for a joke but if youve ever violently shaken a sea cucumber you would know...

More to the point, why would a sea cucumber shake a bike, violently or otherwise?

To help it get to sleep, obvs.

'shake a bike' not intended as euph...

Cant tell if this is the setup for a joke but if youve ever violently shaken a sea cucumber you would know...

Got you guys talking about it didn’t I?

I'm seriously considering a Ribble CGR AL https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-al/, This will be my main bike: mainly for commuting - 8 miles each way inc some track medium hills (Edinburgh) - but a bit of fun at weekends.

I'm torn between the Apex 1x (£1199) and the 105 (£1399) builds. Ive never ridden a SRAM equipped bike and never owned a Shimanoed road bike (Campag and fixiebiek only for me)

What does the forum think? 105 worth the extra 200? Should I look elsewhere? (Triban 520, PX London Rd, Merlin ROC 105, Canyon Grail AL, Arkose D3 all shortlisted but note quite feeling the love)

I've only ever had endless problems with SRAM road stuff myself so I'd go for the 105 option.

https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/bikes/sonder-camino-al-v3-grx1

The Triban is £720 with 105, so just over half the price of the Ribble... seems like a no brainer.

Maybe I am biased, as I ride a Triban, and its coped perfectly with anything that I have thrown at it...

Biggest difference is clearance, tapered steerer and thru axles.

Oooh food for thought. I like alpkit stuff for camping ...